Motion-picture-reflection apparatus.



H. W. EKBERG,- mono PICTURE nmnmou APPARATUS.

APPLICATION Hlil) llILY 25- I915.

Patented Oct. 7, 1919.

' Oriana,

H; W. EKBERG.

MOTION PICTURE REFLECHON APPARATUS. APPLICATION n'lzn lUtY 2b. 191:.

Patented Oct. 7, 1919.

5 SHEETSSHEET 2.

H. W. EKBERG- MQTION PICTURE REFLECTION APPARATUS. Awucmoa men IULY 26.12am.

Pamnted Oct. 7, 1919.

5 SMEETS-SHEET 3.

H. W. EKBERG.

MOHON PICTURE REFLECTION APPARATUS.

APiLlCATlOIl HlED JULY 26. I915.

1,318,269. Patented 0m. 7, 1919.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

4 I anew,

Hanan w. nxnnac. orer. raw-1., nnrnnso'ra'.

' nonox-rrcrm-nmncnon Arrmrus.

Specification of Letter: Intent. 7 r i ermanenc no, mo. gi ham...

Toallwhomitmayconcem:

Be it known that I, HARRY W. Exam, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Paul, in the county of Ramsey and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Motion-Picture-Beflection A para'tus', of which the "following is a spec' cation.

This invention relates to an apparatusffor the projection and reflection of motionj pic tures upon a screen in such manner; eliminate objectionable of the projected images. p

As a. principal object, itfisoontemplated' by this inventiodto interposeja' mirror chain between a projector and in such manner that each-picture directed upon the screen from mirror will' be removed therefrom while the'following picture is be in placed therwpon.-"

ore specifically,"-'it'is invention to r which shall be guidedlieforen picture Krojeetorso as to approach and leave the lig ted area sent outbytbe projector at continously changing having the result of throwing the ictures upon the screen in such anobject n this manner t at the extremities of adjacent picthe mirror members of the chain are adapt- 'the li H .and to leave the same at fixed and prede- .anism for the film-stri tines merge, producingan efiect ofcontinuity not to'be'attainedby the throwin .of distinct and (separate pictures'in ra p i succession upon the screen, as is now the custom;

A further object of this invention is to provide guides or channels through which ed to ass so as to be forced to, approach gated-area sent-out. by the projector termined angles while also supplying means for adjusting sucih giiirles to vs the angles to suit the needs of the particu ar locations of the ap aratus.-

. A still f ilrther object is to provide a driving mechanism for the mirror chain which shall be so connected to the driving mechas it passes into the projector that sync ronous action between successive films and successive mirrors of the chain will alvrdyabe assured. v

A still further aimbfi'jhe invention is to nor as to permit of angular variation there between and means for rotatably mounting specification and then more provide a'chainof mirrors the chain of-il'nnrrors' as it passes to .-the

Patented on. '1, i919;

lighted area-audios to prevent lost'motion from dee'trby'mgthe s chronism between themoihi'mcnt i the cliiiin and thatof the agove and additional objects which papparent as this explanatory deplpcecds, are acco, lashed by such as are illustrated accompanywmgs, described the following p v particularly pointedout 1n the'claimijiwhlch are appended hereto and form sp n of this ap phcation. I

With reference to the drawings, wherein there is -illustrated the preferred embodiment of this invention as it is reduoedlto; practice, and throughout the several views, of which like characters of reference designate similar parls: Figure 1 is a side elevation of the spit ratus of this invention as assembled in-operative position'with a motion picture Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken through.

the housing for the mirror chain, Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line gel-90f Fig.8, Fig; 10 isa view taken on the line 1:0 1'0 of Fig. 9"

,Fig. If is an enlarged elexation two mirrors of the chain showing means,

Fig. 12 is a similar view l uti line 12-42 of Fig. 11,

Fig. 13 is an edge view; of one "bii'the mirrors, and v V Fig. 14 is a sectional view through the carriage controlling device for the filmfstri The method at present employedj in l e "an'leritity, it being imme lately replaced by -tplrojectionof motion pictures-1s.- to pass the the succeeding picture. Since the usual ratevof projection isabout sixteen (16) pic-' turcs a second, it will be apparent that the light upon the screen is entirely blotted outsixteen times a second and that the screen is as often alternately lit up by the projector, the rapid changes from dark to ight placing the eye of the s ectator under a continuous strain by the i] .usion of flickering of the images. This fault-of the present method of projection is a well recogniiied annoyance.

The present invention obviates these flickeringsin a. novel manner which is concerned, with the-provision of a steadil projected lighted area upon the screen whic is accomplished by means permitting each pictureto be thrown upon the screen radually from top to bottom and to be aded therefrom in the same manner while the following picture-is being thrown on." This method produces a continuous flowing effect which practical experiment has shown to be substantially free from all vestiges of the objectionable flicker above mentioned,

through the reflection ofa constant stream.

of light upon the screen.

Upon a persual of Figs; 1 and 2, it will be apparent that the basis for the presentinvei'ition is the interposition of a moving chain of reflector elements between the pro 'eotor' and the screen, such moving chain i composed of mirrors which corres :51 to the se aratepictures' upon the fi in strip. The t ieory is more particularly set forth in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 in which the numeral 15 designates the projector tube of theusual apparatus, being rovided with lenses 16 imdjslpttcd as at 1 to allow for the p w of the film strip 18. It is, of course, understood that light'from a suitable source is projected through each picture'ivhicli is magnified by the cases 16 and cast upon; the screen 19 after being rcflectod thereto by a chain of mirrors denoted-20 as anentirety. Means to he later more fully set forth are provided for permitting the separate mirrors of the chain to pass into the lighted area A synchronously with separate films of the strip 18, those mirrors which are about to enter or leavethe lighted area being diverted from the vertical through continuously chahging angles while the mirror msitioucd at the center of the area. A is tru v vertical, this being one of the numerous positionsof the mirror in the-lighted arca, owing to tho continuously changing angles of its inclinaiionpvith respect to the film. although hprmintally turned inprdcr lo i'cllcct tho images cast thcreu on bythc projector into the scrccn 19. Considering that thc picture dcnotcd a is about to color the slot I? 'for projection by the apparatus, it must then-be noted that the mirror a is simuli'aiu-ously about to enter the lighted area A and at such an angle that the film a, which is invertod iis mirror, progress to the axis of the projector tube 15 more of the picture is thrown u n the screen until" the -position illustr'a in lfig. 3 is attained by the parts, at which time the top half of the picture will he in full view upon the screen, 'Upon further movement of both film stripand mirror chain, with the mirror gradual] and continiiously changing its angle of inclination,

these will assume theres ective positions indicated at b and b'of ig. 4, this being .one point of tlievmirrors continual angle changing travel, showing the entire icture upon the screen and then without a boring their continuity of movement, the top half of the picture will be faded oil the screen so that the lower half only is shown when film and mirror having its an le of inclination gradually and continual y changed arc in the position b and b of Fig. 5. Furth'cr progress of the film stri'p downwardly and of thc chain of ,iuirrors upwardl in the above stated conjunction with cum other will fade the lower half of the picture while the top half of the succeeding picture. is appearing upon the screen and this process obviously produces a steadily flowing pictureupoii the screen 19, It will, of course, be obvious that the rapidity of motion on the part of the film strip and of the mirrors prevents the human eye from o'bservi ng not each picture is gradually exposed upon and thcn gradually faded from the screen while a steady flow of the character thus providcd will obviateflickering of the projecfediinages, owing to the fact that an entire picture is always displayed, although cver-chan ing.

The projector tugs 15 is supported as is customary by a bracket arm 21 upon the base 22 and is directed not toward the screen associated with each of the first mentioned 4 structure being su -vided' with vertical rollers in the manner indicated clearly in Figs. 6 and 7. All of the disks are mounted in compliments. pairs upon shafts 27 which are jou ed in the extremities of a slidable carriage, 28 the latter being engagedbetween ed e structure 300% type illustrated, such e projector 15, and proslots accommodating the shafts 27 in their reci rocation' as adjusted through the medium 0 pivoted to the structure 30 and linked to the carriage being provided with any suitable resilient detent means maintaining it in its adjusted position with respect to an adjacent edge of the carriage support. In the present instance the 'detent means referred to comprises a clamp plate 30* provided intermediate its ends with suitable ears adapted to be pivotally connected to the lever 30' in proximity to t as indicated at 30. One end of thislever is engagedwith the. op

adapted to clamp. a portion of the structure therebetween and the lever 30"; As more clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 14 the structure 30; is rovided at its lower end withan extended portion having a curved peripheral edge andforming a substantial qu-u rant for the lever. The level- Is engaged with one side of this quadrant and the clamping end of the clamping plate 30" is cite side of the same to frictionally reta n the lever against movements. A suitable coiled spring interend of the clamping plate and the lever HEI'VBS to hold the clampmg end of the plate against the quadrant or extended, portion of the struc ture 30 with the necessary pressures The -the prolonge 27 and having trained thereover the chain base 22 is provided with a slot 31 to permit the passage of the 'film thercthrmlgh after passing rough the rejecting apparatus when it may be wound upon a spool in the usual way. The shafts for the disks 24 are equipped with small ilarly rotated throng the medium of the mutually meshing gear 33, drive being 1mparted throu h a sprocket 34 mounted on extremity of one of the shafts or similar element 35 connecting the sprocket 34 with the primary drive sprocket 36 which" is mounted in suitably )sitioned brackets 37 which may be manually driven through the medium of the handle 38.

The mirror chain which is more particularly illustrated in Figs. 8 to 12 inclusive.

is trained over Fujde disks 3!) which are mounted u on slafts 40 j 'ournaled transversely wit lift the casing 23. Exterior-lyof this casing, 'these shafts curry sprocket wheels 41 which have the chain 42 trained thereover. The lowermost shaft 40 also carries the beveled pinions 43 adapted to' mc'sh with the similar pinion 44 carried on flanges 29 of a guide ported upon the base 22 a lever 30. which is .pivote The boss permitsof the peripheral are 32 -which are sinithe extremityeof a transmission shaft 45, this latter in suitably supported by swivel joint brac ets 46 which may be secured to both the base 22 and the casin 23 in order to sup rt the shaft in paralle ism to the latter. iii a-similar manner beveled pinions 47 are carried by the other extremity of the shaft 4-5 and by the sprocket 36 so that the drive of the latter through the medium of 'the handle 38 is transmitted to the mirror chain disks 39. All of the mentioned beveled pinions and all of the drive sprockets re respectively of the samesize since upward progression of the mirrors must be exactly synchronous with the downward progression of the film strip 18. Any other mode of transmitting equal power to both films and mirrors may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The mirror casing 23 .is mounted u on a laterally enlarged base 48, the rear ec ge of which is arcuatelyformed and is straddled by a clip 49 which has a slight boss 50 spacin it from the base 22 to which it is grzppm movement on the part of the cli whic may be controlled through the medium of a bolt 51 with its wingnnut 52 so that the entuehonsin 23 may be locked in its angular positiop with respect to the projector and the screen. The disks 39 upon which the mirror chain is rotatable are formed with grooves or notches 53 which accommodate the c'ylincfiical extremities 54 of each mirror back 55. Also formed on each of these backs are a pair of outwardly inclined arms 56 formed at their extremities with hooks 57 which grip the extremities 54 of the next ad'acent mirror backing so that a continuous c ain is thus provided around the disks 39. On the face of each mirror back are carried clips 58 which retain the mirror surfaces 59.

Since as reviously explained the mirrors receiving tie light rays from the projector 15 are given continually changing angular entrances and exists from the lighter area which .vary from the vertical b means which positively insures afixed path for the mirror plates 59, ide means have been provided which'inc ude thechanneled cli s 60, which are arranged upon opposite walls of the casing 23 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 2 to control movement of both edges of'each of the mirrors. In these clips are secured the aide strips 61, such strips overlapping as i lustrated and havin their extremities mutually pivoted by pms 62.

These; latter project through slots 63 formed in the walls-of the casing 23 and have secured thereto adjusting rods 64, the middle portions 65 of which are enlarged and pro vided with screw threads upon which are accommodated the adjusting nuts 66. Eyelet brackets 67 secured interior-1y of the cas- Zing walls support the rods 64 for sliding movement while the nuts 66 project outwardly through suitable slots 68 in the casing walls to facilitate manual adjustment of the angles of the guides 60; The clips 60 have. their abutting edges opposite] beveled iu'ordcr to allow for angular a just-ment I'herebetwecn and it will be apparent that the desired angle between the opposite inclined extreme clips and the central vertical clip may be readily attained by. manipulation of the nuts 66,accordin to the distance through which the projccte image is to be reflected by the mirror chain and according to the size of the screen cm 'rloyed. The mentioned cylindrical portions in of each mirror back are receivable snugly within the clips 60 and are slidable against the strips 61 so that a means is provided for definitely positioning the mirrors entering and leaving the lighted area in order to presenta'nd fade the pictures from top to bottom in the continuous man-- ner set forth in the-preceding.

1 It will be understood from the foregoing description that as the cylindrical extremities 54 travel within the channeled clips 60 and bear upon this guide strips 61, the angles of.

inclination of the mirrors will be continoiisly changed with respect to the film, during the movement. of one mirror through the lighted area. This is duetofhe fact that the channeled clips 60 are adjusted substan' tiallyin the arc of a circle and the minors are moving in this arc. Althouh Figs. 4 and 5 indicatethe movement oft e mirrors, -it should be understood that those figures show diagrammatically only two or three-of the difi'erent an 'les assumed by the min-01s The position 0 the central mirror, for instance, in Fig. 4 which i. truly vertical is only one of the difl'crcnt positions of the mirror since the angles of the mirror,'as

. above stated, are continuously although radually changed ,very rapidly. Therefore it will be seen that the image oathe screen has the appearance of the' statioifal'ydisclosure thus avoiding the' usual flickering as produced by machines nowtin use. f r

From the foregoing it is believed that the o'pnration of the present, device will be so obvious as to necessitate no further discussion since the theory of thereflcction has e been already explained, and since mechanism has brim-disclosed capable of carrying out such theory and of accordingly attaining the previously presented objects; a

' While In the. foregoing however, therehas thus described in the spcmfirahon, such combinabeen illustrated in the drawings and adaptations of this device as shall not-alter the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

W hat is claimed is: 1. in motion icture apparatus, a. projector, linked re ecting surfaces positioned at an angle to said passing tl1rough-sai projector, means to synchronize movement of said surfaces with said strip, means to direct each surface through an arc of reflection from top bottom of.cach.picture on said film, and means-"for varying the reflection arc.

2. In motion lcture up a'ratus, a projector; linked re ecting sur aces positioned vat. an angle to said projector, a film'strip passing through said projector, and bearing pictures, means to synchronize movement of said surfaces with said strip, guide means to direct each surface through an arc of reflection from top to bottom of a corre'- (projector, a film SlZllp chronizing (movement of said chain with said strip, channeled guide means secured to the walls of said housing for engagement with the edges of each element in directing the travel thereof through continually changing angles of reflection, and means for adjusting said guidesfor varying the said reflection angles.

41 In motion picture apparatus, a pro jec tor, a housing positioned at anangle to sa d projector, a mirror chain rotatably mounted within said housing and including linked reflecting clcmcnta a fijm strip movable throughsaid projector,'mcans for synchronizing movement of said chain with saidstrip, bracketed rods mounting each guide, and means threaded upon each rod for adjusting said guides to vary the said reflection angles.-

5. In motion picture fpjuu'atus a projector, a housin pivotally adjust-a le with respect. to sai d projector, peripherally grooved guide disks mounted in said housing, rotatable reflecting means trained over said guide disks, bcarmgtrunnions carried by said means for engagement with the grooves of said guide disks in passing, channeled guide means mounted within said housing for reception of said trunnions for continuously changing angles of reflection,

and indeptmdcnt, means for adjusting each .60 jector, linked re grooved disks mounted tatable reflecting guide disks, beari said means for enga em c n'i'nneled mounted .withln s'aid.1ousing of said-trunnion's and continu bracketed iodssupguide means, and con'trolQmeunsr engagedwith said rods for addisks in -pass ing,

the 'ngles of reflection,

porting said. thi'c'adlngly ju'sting said ilection.

7. In motion in said housing, ro-

menns truined' over said ng trunnions' carried by ent w ith said-guide; liide' means or reception ally changing -v hange the arc of repicture apparetus, a projector,.- a housing piv otally adjustable with respect to .said' rot'atably projector, mounted within said housing, said:

reflecting 'ineans ,means Including mirrors, backs therefor,

, clips retainingsairl mirrors'u tru mions .carried by sa carried thereby .trunnions, ,chun'neled in said .housing. and a pan said backs, id. backs,'hooksalso to remo'vably engage said uides mounted withapted to receive said trunnions 'asthe mirrors rotate, guide strips pivotally connecting said guides to continuously change the reflection .an Ice for each mirror, means for adjusting t o degree ofs l'lch'angles, and a film stripmoveble through.

and P je or, and to be ector, .a. bone res ect ssiid 18. In m'o'tion-- ;picture 1 apparatus ing pivotally udjustuhle' with projector, reflecting means bearing pictures each.- .reflectedntlhe said. three ang es.

a pro inc udi'ng linked qnirror' elements rotata'bly mounted ,,within said.

. guides housing, chii-nneledeii zgll lides fol" directingfthetmvel ofesich element, guide strips: pivotal to. determine the us for the. connection" l conn'ectingsaid re ection angles for 1; fo'fj said 'Strips'nnd projecting through sld'ts 40 formedjin-the housin rods-bracketed to- ;pi-ns,:mea.n s, ad j ustably and a1 saidhousin 5 guides, ,a. in

sex strip and reficc directions.

and connected to so projecting throu for exterior control of said movable through said ectonandsync ronizedd-rive means for. ting neane in opposite suid pivot threaded upon said gh slots in jector, a housing,

"thrcudc projector, a housing.

guide-disks bearing 'projcc'toig: at housing.

(ncled guide heiiring in'lalges, means td'syn-hi'onizc movement of said surfaces with said bbl'lp, guide means to direct each so are of reflection in a lighted area in alinenie'nt with said projector, and adjustable means operable to regulate the position of said last mentioned means i 10, In a motion picture apparatus, a pro :1 minor chain movabiy mounted within said housing and including linked reflecting elements, a film strip m'dvable throughsaid projector, means for synchrouizingmovement of said chain, with said strip, chunm-lcd guide means carried by said housing, bracketed rods moving each. .guide means, said linked reflecting elements engaging 'snid guide means, and means d upon o'ach rod ,for adjusting said loans to i'in'y the unglesof reflection. n a. motion picture apparatus", a. peripherally grooved guide n 11. I

guide disksmountcd i table reflecting means trained over said trunnions carried by said means for engagement with (he grooi'ed guide disks 'in mifns mounted tion .of said tr in sand housing for reep minions, for continuousl clmnging angles of reflection and independ entmeans-for adjusting each of said guides in varying said anglesQ 124 In a ,motion picture apparatus, a peripherally grooved disks mount'cdin said housing, rotatable 1e: fiecrin imvmm trained over said disks, hear; 'ing trunnions carridby said means for on gugcmcnt"with said disks in passing, chanmoans ',n1ounted within said housing for reception of siiid trunnions, and continual changing tlic' angles' of reflecti-inn' brnclii-tcd rods suppoitiiig said guide .lllL'illlS and control means threudedly gauged -with said rods for adjusting said 'guidcs to change the arc of reflection.

' In testimony whereof I affix my signature. in presence of two witnesses.

HARRY EKBERG.

In -a motion iicture apparatus, 18,- -pro- -Witnesses strip passing through g surfaces, a, film said projector and ALFRED F. SCHNEIDER. G. M.- Morison.

rface through an n snid housing, rotupassing, channeled guide" 

